The Cleveland Browns were downright terrible with Deshaun Watson under center, became a fun bad with Jameis Winston going full Jameis for two months, and then resumed their status as probably the NFL's single-worst team during the Dorian Thompson-Robinson experience down the stretch on their way to posting an AFC-worst -177 point differential.

It's hard to overstate just how pathetic this passing game was for large portions of the season, but here's an attempt.

 

The worst trade in NFL history leaves Cleveland with Watson under contract for at least another season, although his January Achilles setback leaves him VERY iffy for 2025. Throw in the reality that Winston is a free agent and that DTR is arguably the least efficient passer in NFL history, and it's safe to say this team continues to have an awfully big hole under center.

Today we'll recap some of the good and bad of 2024 before getting into potential offseason injuries to monitor as well as team needs ahead of the 2025 offseason.

As always: It's a great day to be great.

Cleveland Browns 2024 Recap

  • Record: 3-14 (8.5 preseason win total)
  • Points per game: 15.2 (32nd)
  • EPA per dropback: -0.196 (32nd)
  • EPA per rush: -0.140 (27th)
  • Points per game allowed: 25.6 (27th)
  • Leading passer: Jameis Winston (2,121 yards, 13 TDs, 12 INT)
  • Leading rusher: Jerome Ford (104 carries, 565 yards, 3 TDs)
  • Leading receiver: Jerry Jeudy (90 receptions, 1,229 yards, 4 TDs)

Biggest surprise: WR Jerry Jeudy

Jeudy had some pretty stark splits last season:

The man basically put up identical numbers to Puka Nacua during the latter stretch! The 235-yard performance against the Broncos was enough to get some love from Steve Smith, for crying out loud.

Many balked at the Browns' willingness to trade and extend Jeudy last offseason; kudos to the much-maligned ex-Broncos talent for racking up the sixth-most receiving yards in the league at 25 years young despite hardly operating in an ideal offensive environment.

Biggest disappointment: RB Nick Chubb

Chubb's ability to get back on the field after 2023's brutal knee injury was a great start to a fairytale. Unfortunately, the story didn't exactly end well.

Chubb among 46 RBs with 100-plus carries:

  • Yards per carry: 3.3 (No. 45)
  • Yards after contact per carry: 2.7 (No. 38)
  • Yards over expected per carry: -0.25 (No. 38)
  • Missed tackles forced per carry: 19.6% (No. 25)
  • Explosive run rate: 4.9% (No. 46)
  • PFF rush grade: 62.5 (No. 44)

Now, the Browns' 22nd-ranked offensive line in yards before contact per carry didn't exactly help matters, but the 29-year-old veteran had previously never averaged below *five* yards per carry in a season. Last year was easily the worst version of Chubb we've ever seen.

It would make a lot of sense if Chubb had already played the best football of his career. We'll see if the Browns or someone else thinks otherwise during free agency, although his season-ending foot injury is also far from ideal.

Key injuries

Deshaun Watson already looked like a shell of himself physically in 2024 after returning from shoulder surgery; don't count on him regaining pre-2021 form coming back from his twice ruptured Achilles.

Further complicating matters is the reality that Watson tore his right Achilles tendon AKA his plant/power foot, which was what Kirk Cousins had to deal with (Aaron Rodgers tore his left).

Additionally, each of TE David Njoku (knee), RB Jerome Ford (ankle), and RB Nick Chubb (broken foot) were each dealing with severe enough issues to end the season on IR. Chubb's injury was bad enough to require surgery–and learned doctors believe there could be some "major durability concerns."

What Are The Browns Biggest Needs Ahead Of 2025?

Draft or Sign a New QB

It's almost remarkable how Cleveland has managed to churn through one horrendous QB after another over the past two seasons.

EPA per dropback among 50 qualified QBs in 2023-24 seasons:

Sadly, their aforementioned porous decision to trade for Watson leaves them with the league's second-most expensive QB room ahead of 2025. Maybe they can finagle their way out of his contract depending on how and when he suffered his re-aggravation.

Either way, the Browns are certainly candidates to use the draft's No. 2 overall pick on the position and perhaps sign a veteran. Kevin Stefanski's former pal Kirk Cousins would make a lot of sense considering his ability to take a cheap deal while the Falcons continue to pay him all kinds of guaranteed money.

Give Their Quarterback Some Weapons

Jeudy's aforementioned breakout is awesome for the squad, but otherwise, the Browns have some work to do.

Two of last season's Week 1 starters in Elijah Moore (unrestricted free agent) and Amari Cooper (traded to Bills) could be out of the picture, leaving the team with Cedric Tillman as the only other somewhat proven option on the outside.

Ultimately, the Browns ranked 25th when averaging ESPN's "Open Score" for all qualified WRs and TEs; the status quo wasn't good enough outside of Jeudy. More work needs to be done in the hope that whoever winds up under center next won't be a disappointment like, you know, basically every Browns QB ever.

Find Insurance (or a replacement) for Nick Chubb

This could also be offensive line, but the Browns already have the third-most 2025 dollars wrapped up with the big uglies up front, and their down 2024 performance was heavily aided by injuries.

Jerome Ford has proven capable of supplying some big-time plays as an explosive change-of-pace option with plus pass-catching ability, but Stefanski's reluctance in fully featuring Ford over these past two seasons is telling.

And understandably so: As great as Ford's big plays have been, he hasn't exactly thrived at consistently picking up positive yardage.

 

Whether it's re-signing Chubb or adding some quality talent in the draft: Cleveland could use an extra head or two in their RB room—and an especially good one could help alleviate some of the team's aforementioned concerns in the passing game.

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